Preserving mixture.



GEORGE PON TI N, OF SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

PRESERVING MIXTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16,1906.

Application filed January 5, 1904. Serial No. 187,800.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE PONTIN, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at The Chalet, St. James Road, Shirley, Southampton,in the county of Hants, Eng land, have invented a Preserving Mixture, ofwhich the'following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for preserving perishable articles orproductssuch as fruit, eggs, butter, and the like with a view to thebetter carriage and storage thereof under varying climatic conditions incold or tropical climates and to protect the same during transit in allparts of the World.

In effecting the object of my invention I employ a mlxture or compoundcomposed of the following ingredients in substantially the proportionsgiven, the said ingredients being reduced or pulverized condition:asbestos and shale, fifty per cent; lake flour or kieselguhr, forty percent; pumicestone,'five per cent; charcoal, five per cent. total, onehundred per cent. These ingredients in or about the said proportionshaving been thoroughly ground and mixed together, the mixture orcompound is ready for being laid or deposited in the box or otherreceptacle in which the articles or products are to be packed. The saidarticles or products are completely inclosed in a thin wrapping orcovering of asbestos, great care being exercised in applying thiscovering, so that the articles or products may be effectually protectedfrom contact with the powdered mixture or compound. The articles thusprotected are then placed in a suitable box or receptacle and a quantityof the aforesaid powder tightly pressed about the same until thereceptacle is filled, the latter being ultimately secured by nailing, asin the case of any ordinary box or case or in any other convenientmanner.

In treating some producesuch as butter,

cheese, lard, &c.1t is necessary that the mixture or compound be pressedin very hard and tight, so that it shall form side walls or to a finepowder or a finely divided partitions to the boxes or linings for largestorage-chambers or for course of transit on shipboard or otherwise) Themixture or compound may, if desired, be used in a wet or plasticcondition by adding water thereto, 1t being then applied as lastering orotherwise fixed to the walls, cei ings, or other surfaces wherenecessary in the proper carrying out of my invention.

The mixture when used in a wet or plastic condition should be in theproportions hereinbefore referred to; but if the mixture or compound bemolded in the form of slabs or the like a small proportion of wood-ashmay be found advantageous in facilitating the forms leaving the molds.

Lake flour or kieselguhr is a well-known substance in Germany andVictoria, where it is obtained from the beds of dry lakes.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. The herein-described mixture or compound consisting of asbestos andshale, lake flour, pumice-stone and charcoal substantially as describedand for the purposes specified.

2. The herein-described mixture or compound for preserving perishablearticles or products consisting of asbestos and shale fifty per cent,lake flour forty per cent, pumice-stone five per cent. and charcoal fiveper cent, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described plastic mixture or compound for preservingperishable articles or products consisting of asbestos and shale fiftyper cent, lake flour forty per cent. pumice-stone five per cent,charcoal five per cent. and water, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of twosubscribing witnesses, this 9th day of December, 1903.

GEORGE PONTIN. Witnesses:

T. OILLY WALSH, WALTER J. SKEETEN.

chambers for the reception or storage of the produce while in

